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This amazing one-off BMW 7 Series has a V16 engine

By topgear, 09 November 2019

You likely already know about this, but much like re-watching an old film because it provides a modicum of comfort, let us revisit this rather large gem sitting in BMW’s arsenal. It is a V16-engined, E32 generation 7 Series.

That’s right friends, V16. Sixteen cylinders representing one of Munich’s wildest flights of fancy, even if it remains a bittersweet story. More on that later.

“This is what happens when you let your engineers get creative,” comes the missive from BMW Group Classic. Back in 1987, BMW wanted to try out a new kind of engine. So it took its then V12 block, and stretched it out over four more cylinders to make a V16.

(Click HERE to read about a cool E23 745i... the first turbo'd inline6 in a BMW)

After a year’s worth of engineering work, the result was a 6.7-litre monster codenamed ‘Goldfisch’, kicking out just over 400bhp. The honourable thing of course, would be to slot it into something suitable – step forward the exceedingly pretty E32-generation 7 Series.

We’re told the block’s sheer size meant the entire cooling system had to be fitted into the boot, which is why you can see those delightful air vents on the rear arches.

Sadly, and as you’re probably well aware because it’s now 2019 and BMW has never built a production V16 engine, this was a one-off. The amazing 7er was “introduced to inner circles, but mass production was never on the agenda”. And likely never will be either, considering how tough it is to keep even a V12 alive these days.

STORYVijay Pattni

TopGear Singapore

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